The Wales flanker insists the squad are “not happy” with their position despite clear signs of progress under Steve Tandy in their defeat to Scotland
Wales looked set to end their barren run last weekend, leading Scotland for 75 minutes before surrendering a 20-5 advantage early in the second half to lose 26-23.
The defeat — a 14th successive loss in the Championship — leaves them rooted to the foot of the table and with six defeats from seven matches since Tandy took charge.
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For Botham, though, the pain of the manner of the loss reflects a team rediscovering its competitive edge.
“Emotionally it is tough, but that’s professional sport,” said the back-rower.
“We started off really well, that’s what we were aiming to do. The fact that it hurts is probably a good thing and that we were in it until the last minute.
“There’s a lot of positives to take from it because it was definitely one of the best performances we’ve done for a long time.
“It’s all progression, we’ve got two games left and we’ve got to focus on them now.
“Debrief this one and then we’ll go to Ireland raring to go. It’s how we bounce back now.”
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Botham’s display was one of the stand-outs after he was thrust into the action early on following an injury to Taine Plumtree.
Tireless at the breakdown and dynamic in open play, the Cardiff flanker helped Wales dictate long stretches of a gripping contest at Principality Stadium.
Yet momentum shifted in an instant. Finn Russell’s restart spiralled awkwardly over Botham’s shoulder, allowing substitute Darcy Graham to pounce.
The converted score narrowed the gap to 23-19 and set the stage for George Turner’s decisive late try, which snatched victory for Scotland and kept their title aspirations alive.
“That’s international sport. If you look at all the teams everyone’s so good now,” Botham reflected.
“Switch off for a split second and you’re penalised for it.
“It is gut-wrenching but we’ve got to use that to move forward into the next game.”
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The sense of revival was echoed in the stands. After a sparse turnout against France the previous week, nearly 13,000 more supporters packed into Principality Stadium, creating a rousing atmosphere among a 70,649 crowd.
“It was like when I was a kid watching back in the day. The attendance was there and it was loud,” Botham said.
“That’s what you want and credit to all the fans who came to watch. We definitely did them more proud this week.
“Where we sit in the table we’re not happy being at the bottom, sixth.
“But a lot of work has come through, you’ve seen that, and when we start to win that’s when it will feel satisfying.”
That dissatisfaction at sitting bottom underscores the urgency within the camp as attention turns to Dublin. Wales travel to face Ireland on Friday, 6 March, knowing tangible progress must soon translate into results.
With the Championship pausing this weekend, several squad members have been released to gain game time in the United Rugby Championship.
Ben Thomas — who started the opener against England before dropping out of the side — returns to Cardiff along with Mason Grady and Liam Belcher.
Josh Macleod is also released, while Ospreys quartet Gareth Thomas, Owen Watkin, Harri Deaves and Reuben Morgan-Williams head back to their region. Tom Rogers rejoins the Scarlets.
However, Rhys Davies has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury in training.
All released players are scheduled to reconvene with the national squad next week as Wales attempt to convert hurt into hope — and climb away from the foot of the table.
Help is on its way for head coach Steve Tandy - but not the summer after the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed the upcoming appointment of Japanese rugby league side Kobe Steelers defence coach, Pete Murchie.
Former Glasgow Warriors centre Murchie, 40, will become Wales’ defence coach at the end of the Japanese rugby league season in time for this summer’s inaugural Nations Championship.
Tandy said: “It’s great to welcome Pete to the coaching team. He is a really talented coach with a great style and mindset.
“He’ll be a real asset for us as a group and I can’t wait for him to join us this summer to help shape the squad’s development as we head into the Nations Championship.”
Murchie, who made three senior appearances for Scotland as a player, has previously held coaching roles with the Scottish Rugby Union and Glasgow and was Scotland’s defence coach during their summer tour of Georgia and Romania in 2021.
